How Rail Infrastructure Powers North Carolina’s No. 1 Ranking for Business
By Carl Warren, President & CEO, North Carolina Railroad Company
America’s No. 1 State for Business is North Carolina according to CNBC. This distinction reflects strong economic performance, long-term investments and collaboration that continue to move our state forward.
This recognition highlights North Carolina’s appeal for business expansion, its leadership in advanced manufacturing and economic strength across urban centers and rural communities. It also reinforces an important truth: while rankings often emphasize workforce and policy, the track to sustained success is built on infrastructure.
Infrastructure as Strategy
North Carolina’s competitive advantage lies in its ability to connect people, goods and markets seamlessly. With an educated workforce, global access through ports and international airports and the North Carolina Railroad’s 317-mile corridor linking communities and industries across the state, our transportation network is designed for growth.
Infrastructure is a strategic driver of economic development. It enables companies to scale, strengthen supply chains and positions North Carolina as a place where businesses locate and thrive.
The Rail Advantage
Freight rail remains one of the most powerful components of that advantage. For 177 years, the North Carolina Railroad Company (NCRR) has worked alongside utilities, ports, local governments, and economic developers to help recruit and retain job-creating industries—all without state taxpayer funding.
NCRR continues to deliver measurable results across the state, including:
- $247 million in annual tax revenue supported by economic activity along the corridor
- More than 15,000 jobs supported by rail-served businesses along the corridor
- Critical connectivity linking North Carolina to regional and global markets
From agriculture to manufacturing, rail-served businesses benefit from lower transportation costs, greater supply chain efficiency and expanded market access. These advantages are essential in a global economy where reliability and speed to market define competitiveness.
Infrastructure Drives Recruitment
Behind North Carolina’s economic momentum is a coordinated effort to attract and grow industry and infrastructure plays a central role.
Rail is a key factor in site selection, offering the capacity, connectivity and long-term reliability companies need to invest with confidence. NCRR’s corridor serves as both a physical and strategic asset, helping position communities to compete for transformative economic opportunities.
Through partnerships and targeted investments, we support business recruitment, retention and expansion ensuring that companies already operating in North Carolina continue to grow here.
Investing in What’s Next
Sustaining momentum requires commitment. At NCRR, we reinvest in our corridor and communities to support long-term economic competitiveness.
Through programs like NCRR Invests and Build Ready Sites, we are advancing freight rail infrastructure, site readiness and job creation across the state. Together, these initiatives have delivered millions in targeted investment and supported more than 15,000 jobs.
One example is Siemens Mobility’s East Coast advanced manufacturing facility in Lexington, North Carolina, which received an Invests grant of $1 million to support rail access. The project is expected to create more than 500 jobs by 2028 demonstrating how infrastructure investment can boost the state’s economy.
Since 2021, NCRR has also extended Build Ready Site investments across nearly 20 counties to strengthen site readiness and expand opportunities in rural communities. Most recently the Town of Spencer and Wayne County each received $750,000 from NCRR to help recruit new business.
These efforts reflect a broader commitment: ensuring that economic growth is not only achieved but sustained and shared.
A Commitment to Long-Term Growth
Rail is, by design, a long-term investment. Its value is measured in immediate economic impact and in the foundation it provides for future growth.
NCRR’s rail corridor and economic development programs contribute significantly to the state’s economy each year. We operate with a focus on reinvestment—prioritizing long-term competitiveness over short-term returns.
Moving North Carolina Forward
North Carolina’s No. 1 ranking is a moment to celebrate but it is also a call to action.
Maintaining this position will require continued investment in infrastructure, deeper public-private collaboration and a shared commitment to building on the strengths that got us here.
At NCRR, we remain focused on delivering the infrastructure advantage that powers this success ensuring our rail network is ready to support growth, attract new investment and strengthen communities across the state.
Because being No. 1 is not the destination. It is the foundation for what comes next. We are proud to help keep North Carolina forever in motion.